Who is Our Lady of Angels?

One of the various titles of Mary is Our Lady, Queen of Angels. When St. Francis founded his order, his headquarters was located in a little church near Assisi dedicated to Our Lady of Angels, nicknamed the Little Portion (Portiuncula). Ever since then, Franciscans have invoked our Lady’s help under this name. When the Irish Capuchin Friars came to America, they named their first parish, in Hermiston, Oregon, after Our Lady of Angels, and did the same with one of the first parishes in California, at Burlingame. It seemed only right, then, to name Our Lady of Angels patroness of the new province of Capuchins in Western America in 1979. In 2010, to mark the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the friars in the west, a pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Angels, Mother of Vocations, visited each of the friaries and is now located at Mission Santa Inés, in Solvang.

WHO WE ARE
The Capuchin Franciscan Friars are a Roman Catholic religious order of brothers and priests inspired by the life and ideals of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis was a unique and dynamic individual who lived life with a passion for peace, honesty and charity. While society was turning away from Christian values, St. Francis embraced the message of Christ and lived simply serving the poor. The Capuchins were founded in 1528 inspired by St. Francis’ dynamic vision. We came to the United States in the nineteenth century to serve poor immigrants looking for a new life. Since then, Capuchin Franciscans have ministered to German, Irish, Italian, and Asian immigrants, Hispanics, Native Americans and African Americans.

In America as elsewhere we strive to share our rich heritage of contemplative prayer, preaching the Word of God, and caring for those in need. In this tradition of service, Capuchins find inspiration and hope. Today, the Capuchins serve throughout the world and are one of the largest religious Orders of men in the Church, with about 11,000 members.